Lacey Turner wows on Strictly as EastEnders’ James Bye shares moving tribute

We miss #Startin (Picture: BBC) I already deeply missed Martin and Stacey on EastEnders, and now, after James Bye’s beautiful Instagram post celebrating Lacey Turner’s Strictly Come Dancing success, I miss them even more! This weekend kicked off the 2026 edition of Strictly, with Lacey being part of the line up, having been paired up with undisputed fan-favourite, Vito Coppola. Taking to the ‘gram before Lacey’s debut on the dancefloor, James wrote a heartfelt message, accompanied by a snap of his on-screen ex-wife and himself, and a glittering, sequin-spangled shot of Lacey and Vito. ‘Properly proud of you as you start your Strictly journey,’ he began the caption. ‘I know you’re going to be brilliant — mainly because you’ll have everyone laughing, keeping everyone’s spirits up and, obviously, making sure every surface in Elstree has been wiped within an inch of its life. Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. ‘I’ll be shouting at the telly every Saturday like I know what I’m talking about, despite the small matter of me being voted off when I did it. So probably best you don’t take any advice from me. ‘We’ve shared a fair few adventures over the years and I couldn’t be happier watching you take this one on. ‘Go smash it, Lace. We’ll be cheering you on every Saturday. ‘So proud of you, you little legend.’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Lacey herself commented back: ‘Love you mate’, while Louisa Lytton, who played a pretty mean third wheel in Martin and Stacey’s relationship, Ruby Allen wrote: ‘Love this so much’. Vito replied with a love heart, while James’ former co-stars, Clair Norris who played Bernie Taylor did the same, and James Farrar, known to ‘Enders fans as Zack Hudson wrote: ‘LOVELY’. As he referenced in his post, James has previously competed on Strictly, appearing in Series 20 and ultimately being eliminated fifth. Fans of the dancing competition are already earmarking Lacey and Vito as potential winners of the series. Lacey previously explained to Where to Watch how she thinks she’ll battle the nerves on the dancefloor: ‘I’m excited to learn something new and to be a part of this whole glittery shenanigan. ‘But I am absolutely terrified and hoping that will go once I’m in the training room and I can get into it. I’m going to create a character that I can play on a Saturday night, as that’s the only way I’ll get out there I think!” ‘I’ve always wanted to do it, but I’ve just never been brave enough. A lot of my friends are physically fit, and they have been exhausted. So, whilst I’m not working on EastEnders this year, I thought it might be a good time to do it because I’m not sure I am physically or mentally fit enough to do both jobs at the same time as well as run a household with three feral children!’ Martin Fowler and Stacey Slater’s relationship Martin and Stacey had a tumultuous marriage… (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, Martin and Stacey finally got it together, having a baby girl, Hope, and tying the knot, becoming husband and wife. After the birth of their second child, Arthur, Stacey became the focal point of a postpartum psychosis storyline, in which she suffered with the condition, a time that almost broke the fledgling couple. Both embarked on new relationships after their marriage fractured following Stacey’s fling with eternal flame – and not the Atomic Kitten kind – Max Branning (Jake Wood), while Martin moved on to Ruby Allen. …they were a fan favourite couple, though (Picture: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron) Ultimately, Martin perished in EastEnders 40th anniversary episodes, when the Vic collapsed after an explosion, trapping him under a beam. Declaring his undying love for Stacey, and with the two agreeing to remarry, Martin slipped away, leaving Stacey to contemplate, and later enact her own exit from Walford, heading to Brazil. Word is, though, she’ll be back for a bit soon… Deals of the Day Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: Isobel Steele dating a girl for the first time as she marks huge success after Emmerdale Arrow MORE: Inside Chris Appleton’s friendship with Kim Kardashian as she scores his Strictly moves Arrow MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2026 The Soaps Newsletter – Daily All the latest soaps spoilers and gossip, in your inbox every morning.